Josephoartigasia

Josephoartigasia
Temporal range: Chapadmalalan-Uquian
~4–2 Ma
↓
Josephoartigasia monesi reconstruction
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Mammalia
Order:Rodentia
Family:Dinomyidae
Genus:†Josephoartigasia
Mones, 2007
Species

Josephoartigasia is an extinct genus of giant rodent from the Early Pliocene to Early Pleistocene, related to the living pacarana. The genus includes the largest known rodent, Josephoartigasia monesi.[1] The two species would have resembled gigantic pacarana, or capybaras the size of cows, with an estimated weight of 1,000 kilograms (1.0 t).[2]

As the first specimen was found in Uruguay, it was named in honour of José Artigas, the libertador of the country.[2]

References

  1. ↑ "Biggest rodent 'shrinks in size'". BBC News. 2008-05-21.
  2. 1 2 Rinderknecht, Andrés (2008). "Nueva especie de roedor fósil: Josephoartigasia monesi". Museo Nacional de Historia Natural y Antropología (in Spanish). Uruguay. Significado del nombre: Josephoartigasia en honor a José Artigas y monesi por el paleontólogo uruguayo Álvaro Mones.


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